Method and system for determining a least cost path for routing international communications traffic

Abstract

A method, system, and medium for determining a least-cost, international-routing path to communicate data across a telecommunications network are provided. The path implementation variables can be presented on a user interface or used to automatically generate a switch update transaction that implements the path. The method includes identifying variables that affect the determination of a least-cost path, receiving data values that correspond to the variables, and presenting the data values so that the path can be determined in response to observing the variables. Confidence and route testing can be conducted using the present invention.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10 / 425,926, filed Apr. 29, 2003, and having attorney docket no. 2144 / SPRI.101539, and which is incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to the field of telecommunications. More particularly, the present invention provides a new and useful method for efficiently and economically implementing international routing, inclusive of cost and network elements.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In a telecommunications setting, “routing” refers to at least defining a network configuration through a workflow process. Due to the competitive global market, establishing international routes to communicate traffic is a complex process absent the present invention.[0004]When few variables were needed to be taken into consideration to route international traffic, various prior-art methods were used. One such method employed text-based email. Routes are imple...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In one aspect of the invention, a system is implemented in a telecommunications-networking environment and includes a data-receiving component. The data-receiving component receives all of the data values that affect the determination of the routing path. A memory is included for storing the data values. Finally, a user interface presents the data values on a display device. A user observing the user interface can more easily, accurately, and efficiently determine a routing path based on the variables.

[0014]Although the present invention is defined by the provided claims, it satisfies several objects. A nonexhaustive list of objects of the present invention include: to better manage nondirect routing opportunities; to better identify routing opportunities; to improve communications with other carriers; to reduce time required to implement routing for a new carrier; to reduce time required to route to an existing carrier; and / or to improve ongoing quality assurance of routes.

Problems solved by technology

This system and method is limited to environments where very few variables need to be considered.

Moreover, this prior-art method is prone to errors because it uses a crude text based email system.

It is impossible to deliver meaningful analysis from crude text based data.

Switch commands sent by a planner could be erroneously entered, thus leaving greater room for error.

Accordingly, the switch translations analyst may have no way of knowing that the planner's instructions are erroneous.

Invalid commands in the switch would disrupt communications between customers and its services.

Gathering the information to determine what routing scenario is the most economical becomes even more cumbersome as additional variables must be considered.

Such a structure is not adequate to support changing business requirements and lacks a solid architecture and database structure upon which to build additional functionality.

That is, the negotiations group is often unaware of the actual bandwidth needs of the carrier or the network details and the network analyst, who determines the network configuration, is unaware of what is available to purchase.

The reason for this disconnect is that the prior art does not offer a system that receives all the variables necessary to determine a least-cost route and present those variables on a single user interface so that a routing request can be determined.

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